There are times when a person’s negligence can result in the unfortunate loss of life. If a family member passed away suddenly due to someone else’s negligence, then you should contact a Trumbull wrongful death lawyer. Attorney George W. Ganim, Jr. will help you file a claim on behalf of your loved one in order to secure compensation for their loss, such as: emergency care and funeral costs, loss of income for their life expectancy, and any pain and suffering endured.
While it is impossible to replace a loved one, obtaining proper compensation for such a tragic loss helps provide a way to move forward with financial stability during a time of uncertainty. Dealing with a family member’s death is difficult enough but it gets much more difficult when faced with the financial realities of that loss of income and support. By working with an experienced personal injury attorney, you can save yourself and other surviving family members from severe financial hardship.
Defining a Wrongful Death Claim
A wrongful death claim is one where the person’s injuries resulted in death. To determine if it is right to pursue this lawsuit, ask yourself whether the deceased would have filed a personal injury lawsuit if they had survived. If a valid case would have followed, your family has the right to make a legal claim. Grounds for wrongful death suits include negligence, recklessness or intentional harm on the part of the individual, group or entity. Some of the most common cases include:
- Medical malpractice
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Defective product claims
- Workplace accidents
- Aviation accidents
- Pedestrian crashes
- Dog attack
A local wrongful death attorney can provide guidance on how to proceed with a wrongful death claim.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Case?
Connecticut laws require the administrator or executor of the deceased individual’s estate to file a legal claim, not just any family member. If the named executor cannot file for any reason or the deceased person passed without a Will, the court will usually appoint an estate administrator. That individual is not only tasked with hiring a legal professional and filing a claim, they are also responsible for taking care of other estate business.
An accidental death lawyer in Trumbull can, along with the executor, request a variety of damages depending on the family’s wishes and financial needs. That includes emergency medical care related to the deceased person’s injuries or illness, funeral and burial expenses, lost earning capacity and lack of companionship. Pain and suffering endured by the deceased individual prior to their passing may be added to the damages list as well, as can mental anguish experienced by family upon their loved one’s death. Some cases can call for double or even treble the damages amount.
How Long Does the Executor Have to File?
The administrator or executor has two years to file a claim starting from the deceased’s death date. Some very limited cases include a five-year timeframe due to extenuating circumstances. However, no wrongful death claim can be filed in Connecticut after the five-year mark. Attorney Ganim can help you keep track of these crucial deadlines.
Reach Out to a Wrongful Death Attorney for Legal Assistance
Losing a loved one is difficult enough – you should not have to carry the financial burden with you as well. Let a Trumbull wrongful death lawyer handle the legal aspects of the case so you can properly mourn your loss. Attorney George W. Ganim, Jr. is here to help you during this trying time and will work tirelessly to hold the responsible party to account for their negligence and carelessness. Call the office now to get started.